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Josiah Quincy - Mayor
1772–1864
 Boston's second mayor, Josiah
Quincy, was no stranger to political power. The son of pre-Revolutionary
patriot Josiah Quincy, Jr, he had served two terms in the US Congress, been
Speaker of the Massachusetts House, and Judge of the Municipal Court of
Boston. He recognized that he was elected to a post which was limited both
by its short term, and by having to work with a large collection of aldermen.
Quincy consolidated his power by appointing himself to chair of all city
committees. This allowed him to pursue the purchase of land for the market
in secret, and so prevent price gouging. As the project became public Quincy
creatively used his self appointed position as Surveyor of Highways to assert
eminent domain, a privilege not previously given to the mayor.
After leveling dilapidated buildings on the property, and filling in the
decaying city docks with its debris, he was able to involve private developers.
The city would construct the 555 by 90 foot main market, as executed by
Alexander Parris. In 1825 individuals began purchasing two rows of adjoining
lots, and individually constructed a series of connected stores, which still
stand on either side of the market. In that year Quincy was re-elected as
mayor by a 97% margin. His later administration established the Public Garden,
but became embroiled in efforts to provide municipal water. In 1828 he lost
his bid for another term, and soon began long and successful service as
President of Harvard University. Quincy's son became Boston's 11th mayor,
and succeeded in providing municipal water; Quincy's grandson was Boston's
32nd mayor.
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